Akhand Jyot Guide for Navratri 2026 – As soon as Pitru Paksha ends, the great festival of worship of Mother Durga will begin. This time, Shardiya Navratri is starting on 11 October 2026 and it will end with Vijayadashami on 20 October 2026. The auspicious time for Ghatasthapana on the first day will be around 6:19 to 10:12 in the morning, although it may vary slightly depending on your city.
Lighting Akhand Jyot during Navratri is considered very auspicious. It is not just a lamp, but a symbol of pure knowledge, intelligence and positive energy. But there are many rules regarding this that need to be kept in mind, especially if you sleep near the flame.
The right way to light Akhand Jyot
Use a long and thick wick for a continuous flame. The lamp can be of brass, silver or clay. Fill it with pure sesame oil, mustard oil or ghee. Install the Jyoti on a clean platform and it is considered auspicious to keep a ghee lamp on the right side of Maa Durga and an oil lamp on the left side.
Pay special attention to these things for 9 days
The tip of the wick should not be immersed in oil – keep adding ghee or oil from time to time, but keep in mind that the tip of the burning wick should not be completely immersed in the oil.
Be sure to cover – keep the Akhand lamp covered with a glass or metal cover so that the flame does not get extinguished by the wind.
Special preparation of earthen lamp – If you are using an earthen lamp, then keep it soaked in water overnight. This is so that the lamp does not absorb excess ghee or oil.
Avoid these things – Do not let children play around the flame. Do not add solid ghee directly; add it after melting it. Do not light a lamp near the toilet or kitchen. Do not remove the flame from its place for nine days.
Attention to food – In the house where Akhand Jyot is burning, one should avoid non-vegetarian food, onion and garlic. They are considered vengeful.
If you sleep near Jyot then definitely follow these rules
Many people sleep near the flame during Navratri so that it does not go out. But during this time, it is very important to keep some things in mind, Do not leave the room alone – Do not leave the room in which the flame is burning completely empty for nine days. It is necessary for someone to be present there.
Direction of head and feet: It is considered wrong to sleep with feet in front of the flame. Keep in mind that the direction of your head or feet should not be directly towards the flame.
Sleep on the floor – In a room where the Akhand Jyot is burning, it is considered better to sleep on the floor rather than on a bed.
Cleanliness and purity: There should be no dirt around the place of worship and the atmosphere should remain pure.
Why the confusion about the dates of 2026?
This time there is some confusion regarding the date of Navratri because Pratipada Tithi is starting from 9:19 pm on 10th October and will continue till 9:30 pm on 11th October. According to the rules of Udaya Tithi, the first day of Navratri will be considered as 11th October, because Pratipada Tithi is present at the time of sunrise on that day.
Another special thing – this time rituals of both Ashtami and Navami dates will be held on 19th October, and Vijayadashami will be celebrated on 20th October. That means this time Navratri will be for a total of 10 days, in which Saptami Tithi will remain for two days.
So if you are also thinking of lighting Akhand Jyot this Navratri, then note down these rules from now on. If you keep both faith and caution, you will definitely be blessed by Mother Durga.